The Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, has regained his freedom after being released by the Osun State Police Command, barely a day after his arrest during a police raid on his residence in Osogbo.
His release was confirmed on Thursday by Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, the group coordinating the re-election campaign of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Announcing the development on his verified Facebook page, Olajengbesi thanked the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, for what he described as listening to the voice of the people.
“We sincerely appreciate the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, for listening to the voice of reason… Welcome back, Chief Igbalaye Teslim. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun State will not be forgotten,” he wrote.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaiye’s release during a telephone interview with journalists.
Igbalaiye was arrested alongside five other individuals after police operatives raided his residence on Wednesday. According to the police, the operation followed intelligence reports that a suspected criminal gang was operating from the location.
The command alleged that one of those arrested at the residence, Oladele Abiodun, was on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
During the operation, police said they recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1–15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer, all of which are currently in police custody for further investigation.
According to the police, the recovered items have raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged vote buying and other criminal activities.
“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” the police said.
The command added that investigators are examining possible offences, including vote buying, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect, and any other offences that may emerge during the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the SSG’s arrest was politically motivated.
According to the Speaker, the arrest was ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, after an incident during an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting, where the commissioner was reportedly booed by some attendees and noticed the SSG laughing.
However, the police dismissed the allegation, maintaining that the raid and subsequent arrests were based strictly on intelligence linking the suspects to alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences.
Investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
Source: Osun State Police Command.
